Admittedly I find most period pieces to be terribly pretentious and boring (ie. Wings of the Dove).

That's not the case with Elizabeth. This movie was very well done and interesting to watch. I'm not sure how some editing choices were made, I would have left a bit more stuff on at the end and gotten rid of the misplaced scene where Liz practices her speech. Cate Blanchett gives a great performance in this movie in the lead role. Joseph Fiennes really doesn't. Geoffrey Rush is an incredible bad-ass, I really liked him here and hope he gets more roles like this.

I'd have to say for the best picture nominations this year its second best next to Life is Beautiful, although I doubt either will win, stupid Academy :P

I kinda expected the movie to be a little boring and I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't. I suggest you catch Elizabeth in theatres while it's still running.

My friend is the theatre manager so I got in free, but it REALLY is worth seven bucks. See it.